San Diego City Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum video recorded the slow rise and fall of the water in the Mission Bay Channel from atop the lifeguard control tower in Mission Bay.
— John Gibbins

Donate:

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is in contact with the Japanese Red Cross to see how it can help. Meanwhile, donations that will support American disaster relief efforts in Japan and throughout the Pacific can be made at redcross.org to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. A $10 donation also may be made by texting REDCROSS on your cell phone to 90999.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has opened a section of their Tokyo headquarters to provide shelter and meals for those who could not get home. A Salvation Army team in Tokyo is sending an assessment team to Sendai Friday night to assess damage and soon will begin providing basic necessities. Donations can be made by calling (800) SAL-ARMY; online at salvationarmy.usawest.org; or by post to The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Relief Fund, P.o. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263--728. Please make a note that your gift go to Japan Earthquake/Tsunamis. A $10 donation also may be made by texting the words Japan or Quake to 80888.

UNICEF

UNICEF is monitoring the situation in Japan. The relief agency has staff and emergency supplies already posted throughout the region to assist vulnerable children and families if needed. To donate through UNICEF.

Local services:

The Buddhist Temple of San Diego plans a special service at 7 p.m. Saturday led by Rev. Yushi Mukojima at 2929 Market St., in Grant Hill dedicated to the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. The temple will accept donations for disaster relief.

How to contact relatives/friends in Japan:

The U.S. State Department advises U.S. citizens, both in Japan and in the United States to contact the Department of State at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by phone. For those in United States or Canada, call (888) 407-4747. For those outside those areas, call (202) 501-4444. For updates, State Department officials recommend the following websites: japan.usembassy.gov/ (U.S. Embassy in Japan) ; travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5378.html (Consular Affairs Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Page); travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5377.html (Travel Alert). The State Department has strongly urged Americans to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Japan through April 1.

Continuous coverage from Japan:

Cox Communications has opened TV Japan Feed to all customers so they may watch live continuous news coverage from Japan. The premium channel is available free now on Cox Channel 400.